-- THE ARCHIVE --

SWAZILAND

Swazi Observer, Mbabane, 9 February 2009

20 lashes make pupil's bums swell

TEACHERS at Velebantfu High School in New Haven have been
accused of using excessive force when applying corporal
punishment.

Click to enlarge

Mncedisi Ngwenya, 15, claims that headteacher Muzi Shongwe and
Maths teacher Bongani Ngobe gave him 20 lashes, ten on each
buttock as a punishment.

Shongwe allegedly beat him for missing the morning study
period while Ngobe punished him for not doing his mathematics
homework. He said he was first beaten by Ngobe.

The boy said he tried to explain to Shongwe that he had
already been sjamboked by Ngobe but he would hear non of that as
he continued thrashing him.

Mncedisi stated that he did not do his homework because they
had not yet received text books which are provided by the school.

He said for now Ngobe lent them the text books but they had to
give it back after school and on that particular day he finished
the work.

"I tried to explain to Ngobe but he insisted getting his
work. He then instructed me to face the other direction; I
counted each and every one of the ten strokes. I counted even
those inflicted on me by the principal. I felt so bad, blamed
myself for it and wanted to leave school but was afraid of my
mother," he said.

Mncedisi explained that he missed the morning study period
because there was no transport to bring him to school due to the
on going rains.

This publication visited the place where Mncedisi stays and it
is about 17 kilometres from the school.

His mother was not aware of what befell her son because he
never reported it. Ngwenya said he did not tell her because he
never thought that it had anything to do with her. Neither
Shongwe nor Ngobe could be reached for comment. Shongwe's mobile
phone was not available. However, teachers at the school
confirmed the beating.